By Express News Service
Indicating its ground offensive against Hamas militants was about to take off, Israel on Friday ordered more than 11 lakh civilians living in northern Gaza to move to the south within 24 hours. Later in the day, Israeli forces said they had carried out localised raids in multiple areas in Gaza.
Hours after the order, thousands of scared Palestinians began moving to the south with their possessions by whatever means possible — cars, trucks or donkey carts. Others hesitated to leave, fearing nowhere was safe. Gaza continues to be sealed off from food, water and medical supplies and is under a total power blackout.
The UN sharply criticised the evacuation order, which covers Gaza City, the biggest urban centre in the Gaza Strip. It said the human displacement would be calamitous and urged Israel to reverse the order. It also warned that such an evacuation would lead to Gaza’s entire population cramming into roughly the southern half of the 40-km-long strip.
The US, which promised unwavering support to Israel in its operation against Hamas, also shared its concerns. “It’s a million people, and it’s a very urban, dense environment. It’s already a combat zone,” US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said.
Hamas, which has in the past been accused of using civilians as human shields, asked the Gaza residents to stay put, saying the Israeli order was a ploy to divide Gaza. “Hold onto your land,” it urged the people. As per Israeli officials, the aim of the looming ground offensive is dismantling Hamas’ terror infrastructure, much of which is buried underground. Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israel last Saturday with its fighters crossing the border and killing some 1,300 Israelis.
Army raided multiple areas in Gaza: Israel The Israeli Army said its forces made multiple raids into Gaza since Thursday night ahead of the planned ground offensive. The raids were to destroy weapons and search for evidence about the missing hostages held by Hamas
13 hostages killed in israeli attack: hamasHamas claimed on Friday that Israel’s heavy bombardment of the Gaza Strip has killed 13 hostages, including foreigners. It did not give the nationality of the foreigners. There was no confirmation from Israel
Israeli diplomat stabbed in beijingAn employee of the Israeli Embassy in Beijing was attacked with knife on Friday and later hospitalised. It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the attack | P12 Follow channel on WhatsApp
Indicating its ground offensive against Hamas militants was about to take off, Israel on Friday ordered more than 11 lakh civilians living in northern Gaza to move to the south within 24 hours. Later in the day, Israeli forces said they had carried out localised raids in multiple areas in Gaza.
Hours after the order, thousands of scared Palestinians began moving to the south with their possessions by whatever means possible — cars, trucks or donkey carts. Others hesitated to leave, fearing nowhere was safe. Gaza continues to be sealed off from food, water and medical supplies and is under a total power blackout.
The UN sharply criticised the evacuation order, which covers Gaza City, the biggest urban centre in the Gaza Strip. It said the human displacement would be calamitous and urged Israel to reverse the order. It also warned that such an evacuation would lead to Gaza’s entire population cramming into roughly the southern half of the 40-km-long strip.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });
The US, which promised unwavering support to Israel in its operation against Hamas, also shared its concerns. “It’s a million people, and it’s a very urban, dense environment. It’s already a combat zone,” US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said.
Hamas, which has in the past been accused of using civilians as human shields, asked the Gaza residents to stay put, saying the Israeli order was a ploy to divide Gaza. “Hold onto your land,” it urged the people. As per Israeli officials, the aim of the looming ground offensive is dismantling Hamas’ terror infrastructure, much of which is buried underground. Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israel last Saturday with its fighters crossing the border and killing some 1,300 Israelis.
Army raided multiple areas in Gaza: Israel
The Israeli Army said its forces made multiple raids into Gaza since Thursday night ahead of the planned ground offensive. The raids were to destroy weapons and search for evidence about the missing hostages held by Hamas
13 hostages killed in israeli attack: hamas
Hamas claimed on Friday that Israel’s heavy bombardment of the Gaza Strip has killed 13 hostages, including foreigners. It did not give the nationality of the foreigners. There was no confirmation from Israel
Israeli diplomat stabbed in beijing
An employee of the Israeli Embassy in Beijing was attacked with knife on Friday and later hospitalised. It wasn’t immediately clear what sparked the attack | P12 Follow channel on WhatsApp
